Elsie Orman Holmes

Born in Waterloo, Ontario on May 7th 1914, Elsie was brought to Cut Knife by her mother, Florence Annie Orman, who had been hired to keep house for John William Holmes and his 5 children. It started as a job, but on December 12, 1914, John and Florence were married, making Elsie a step sister to Alfred, Harold, Arthur, Lily and Myrtle. The name Holmes was added to Elsie's name, but it was many years before Elsie had it added legally.

Florence and John had two more girls, Edith and Devina, so in all Elsie had five step brothers and sisters and 2 half sisters.

John was working for the C.N.R. and was transferred to Gallivan. In 1919 Elsie started school in Gallivan. John was transferred back to Tatsfield in 1920, so the family was moved back to Willow Creek Farm and Elsie resumed her education at Alfred school. From there they moved to Macrorie and then on to Swanson where Elsie completed her schooling.

Elsie Orman Holmes 1945 Photo courtesy Wilma "Billie" Holmes

Elsie went to work for a Mrs Sneider at Rochaven, Sask. where she stayed for many years. When she left there, she worked one summer at Kindersley then moved to Saskatoon to live. She worked at Emmanuel College for a few years, the went to St. Andrews College at the University of Saskatchewan in Saskatoon. She worked from mid Sept to the end of April. She worked in the kitchen and stayed there for 18 years.

In the summer months she worked in a Tea Room and Cafe at Banff, Alta. as a short order cook until 1965 when St. Andrews College decided to stay open all year. Her time was then spent in Saskatoon.

Elsie was quite tall in stature, with a very soft, gentle voice. In her own quiet way she had a good sense of humor with a little giggle and was always around and ready to get involved with anything the family was doing. A very independant person, she lived alone and never married. As a passtime, she did quilting as well as embroidery work.

July 1, 1970, she was with her friend Hilda headed for a few days out of town. They were involved in a head on collision at Vanscoy, Sask. and both were killed. Funeral services were conducted on July 4th 1970 by Rev. Professor R.F.Schnell from St. Andrews College. She was interred in Woodlawn Cemetery, (Block 107 Lot 21 Section N 1/2) sharing the same headstone as her step father, John William Holmes.

Submitted by Elsie Evjen